The Yuan class in NATO's reporting system is the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, (PLAN), which has been busy building attack submarines over the past few years. These large-sized, conventional submarines are very similar to those of the Russian Kilo-class. They are designed for deep water operations in the shallows and at sea. They are also capable of operating in deep water areas and near-seas, making them very effective antiship cruise missile platforms.
There are three types Yuan-class submarines. Each one has a unique sail design. They are known as the Type 039A/Type 039C or Type 041. The first version was made at Wuhan Shipyard. It was displayed at the China Naval Modernization report to Congress in 2005. Rumours say that the second Yuan might be under construction. These vessels will be joining the PLAN's fleet in 2028.
According to Chinese-language Internet data, the new Yuan's overall length is 77.2 meters. The beam is larger than that of the Song class. The new boats feature an optronic mast, periscopes and other features that are more efficient than rubber tiles.
The Type-035 Ming Class submarines' forecase was modified in 2010 with a chined, upper sail. A towed array sonar is also installed by the Chinese Navy on its vessels. It is believed that future Yuan-class ships will be loaded up with longer-range anti-submarine rockets.
The Yuanclass was recently evaluated by the US Naval Institute as an antiship cruise missile platform. They also evaluated the submarines' capabilities to operate in deep seas and near-seas. They assessed that the submarine's AIP system was capable of keeping it underwater for two weeks. They also noted that the submarine has a small missile load out. The submarine has a long range cruise missile called the C-802, which has a range of up to 180 kilometers.
Holst wrongly stated that Yuan-class submarines were equipped with the C-802 ASCM in his essay. While Holst claims that the submarines were built with this weapon, the US intelligence community requires that any submarine carrying a missile have dedicated launchers. The Yuan-class is believed to have two or more air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, which means that the submarine does not have to have a separate oxygen supply. AIP systems can also be used to allow modern SSKs to remain submerged for up four weeks.
Chinese Navy has a long tradition of building submarines. In fact, China has already built thirteen Type 039 submarines, with at least four more expected by 2023. China's Type 039A submarine was launched in 2005. It was built at Wuhan Shipyard and completed sea trials in 2006. It is not yet known if there are any other variants.
China's Yuan Class submarines from China had been exported as far back as July 2010, to Thailand, Pakistan, and Myanmar. China announced plans to acquire eight more submarines to be used in its navy. China's Navy is expected have at most 25 Yuan-class submarines in service by 2025.